Message from Mr. Shoji Nakanishi

Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities and Rights Law(s), and Rights Act(s)

The United Nations Ad Hoc Committee on the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities has been in session. Within this three-week period, it is aimed to settle whether each government can accept the draft which was discussed thus far; therefore, the work has been conducted considerably at a high pace. It is expected to adopt in January 2007. In the following year or so, each country is going to start signing the convention. In the country which will have signed, domestic law(s) must be amended and revised if there is any violation against the convention. Government will be pressed for inclusive education, access to buildings and transportation, and shift for arranging support plan of home-based living from institution-based policy. Also, I request you to study the draft convention and compare with your domestic law(s) so that you can start investigating which provision needs to be revised in your advocacy movement near future. If there is no Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law in your country, please act immediately to legislate one. DPI Japan and Korea have already taken its first step.

At the provincial level in each country, I advise you to advocate for passing the Anti–discrimination Act against Persons with Disabilities. It is a regulation that prohibits discriminations such as; rejection of services in stores, hotels, public transportation, and landlord offices; being fired at work places; and being refused of using medical facilities and schools – because of disabilities. At the city level, if there is an ordinance alike, our rights would be further strengthened. I am currently negotiating with two cities. Metropolitan Tokyo will challenge me after adoption of the convention. Requesting for sample of the regulations, or if you wish to know how to negotiate with government, please contact our office

Shoji Nakanishi
Regional Chairperson
DPI Asia-Pacific
23 January, 2006

Message from Ms. Saowalak Thongkuay

It gives me a very great honor being appointed as the Regional Development Officer- RDO for the Disabled Peoples' International Asia Pacific- - DPI/AP a cross disabilities organization to promote human rights of persons with disabilities- - PWDs through full participation, equalization of opportunity and development.

The 7 ^th World Assembly's theme "our convention, our rights - but for all" clearly emphasized rights of PWDs are human rights. Currently, the convention is signed by 198 countries and is vatified by 4 countries since all Disable People Organizations- - DPOs have been working very hard not only to promote and deliberate the convention but also to seek the effective mechanism for its implementation. Besides, they try to approach stakeholders concerned such as the civil society in the national and international levels.

DPI/AP mission also includes girls and women with disabilities with all ages in the rural and urban areas to mainstream them in the women movements, trainings and all programs. Furthermore, youth is an absolute priority as we aim to empower young generation for strengthening network and seeking more alliances.

As RDO of DPI/AP, it is my pleasure to work and collaborate with the governments, UN agencies, international development agencies, DPOs and other stakeholders concerned through South to South cooperation. I will try my best afford to develop program to mobilize human rights movements and to strengthen Self-help Organization and national assembly of persons with disabilities.

Last but not least, I would like to thank firstly all regional councilors of DPI/AP, DPI Head office for their great support, contribution and collaboration to DPI/AP office; and many thanks to all friends with disabilities; DPOs worldwide, and all stakeholders for your hard work for a better quality of life of persons with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific region.

Sincerely yours,

Ms. Saowalak Thongkuay
Regional Development Officer (RDO)
Disabled Peoples' International Asia Pacific (DPI/AP)
18 September 2007